KATHMANDU: Purna Bahadurko Sarangi has made history in the Nepali film industry, grossing NPR 500 million at the domestic box office alone.

To celebrate this unprecedented success, a grand party was held in Kathmandu by producer Binod Paudel, who also announced two new projects: Purna Bahadurko Sarangi 2 and Roll No. 1.

However, the announcement of the sequel has sparked discontent among the members of the original production team.

Saroj Paudel, the director of the first film, expressed his displeasure, revealing that he learned about the sequel through social media and the press.

He emphasized that the story and concept of the original movie were entirely his, making the film a deeply personal project.

Saroj took to Facebook to voice his concerns, writing, “The announcement of Purna Bahadurko Sarangi 2 came as a surprise to me. My story idea and direction were at the core of the original film, which was embraced by the audience and became a historic success. History cannot be rewritten so easily, and playing with it diminishes its significance.”

Saroj further urged the producers not to turn the legacy of Purna Bahadurko Sarangi into a mere commercial “money-making tool.”

He firmly stated that he would not be involved in the sequel and advised the team to focus on crafting original stories rather than extending the narrative of the first film.

“Stretching a story without purpose can tarnish the history we’ve created together. If a sequel happens, the proper procedures should be followed, and the prestige of the original film must be maintained,” he asserted.

Interestingly, no writer or director was mentioned for Purna Bahadurko Sarangi 2 during the announcement on Sunday, while Roll No. 1 already has Jayon Yonjan attached as both the director and writer.

Binod Paudel is listed as the producer for both projects, but the absence of co-producers Patrick Subedi and Ramesh Dhakal, who worked on the first film, has raised questions.

Neither of them was present at the event, leading to speculation about a possible formal division within the team.

Adding to the intrigue, Binod Paudel also unveiled a new logo for Seven Seas Cinema, signaling a fresh start for the production banner.

While the announcement of Purna Bahadurko Sarangi 2 was made with great enthusiasm, Saroj’s concerns about preserving the legacy of the original film have added complexity to the conversation surrounding the sequel.

The first installment of Purna Bahadurko Sarangi created a landmark in Nepali cinema, with a global gross of NPR 750 million.

Although fans are excited to learn more about the sequel, the internal disputes have cast a shadow over the future of the franchise.

This situation underscores the challenge filmmakers face in balancing creative integrity with commercial ambitions.

The question now is whether Purna Bahadurko Sarangi 2 can capture the same magic as its predecessor while maintaining the values that made it such a historic success.